Paige Gardner is an award-winning costumer who regularly appears as a guest presenter on unconventional costuming at science fiction and fantasy conventions in the U.S. and Canada. While Paige has created recognizable cosplay from the Sci-Fi universe, she is mostly recognized for her “costume as art” ethic through original projects constructed from found, salvaged or vintage items.

As a costumer who doesn’t sew, Paige is a popular panelist who shares her enthusiasm for costuming with the minimum of resources and the maximum of tenacity! Paige’s humorous approach to daunting projects features shocking shortcuts, fresh ideas, and eccentric tips for building costumes using salvaged items, thrift store finds and other unlikely oddments.

Paige’s costuming work has appeared in national news outlets, magazines, television and independent film as well as being featured in books, including “1000 Steampunk Creations”, “1000 Cosplay Creations” and “The Steampunk Users Manual” by Jeff VandeMeer. Her ‘costume art’ projects have been exhibited at various venues around the U.S.

You can find Paige and her costume work at CostumeArt on Facebook and bhampaige on Instagram and her blog at www.CostumeArtist.com

My presentation specialty is teaching methods of reconstructing existing garments/salvage materials/found items into Steampunk gear, masks, creative costumes and art with the most basic of tools and resources. Often referred to as “no-sew, low-pro” costuming, my panels are ideal to jump-start costume, prop and art projects for those who are new to the craft.

Most of my costume work is typically recognized within the Steampunk community as part of a series of Automatons (each with specific functions). The vintage items incorporated and altered into the automaton’s gear reflect the automaton’s purpose. The masks, gear and accessories are completely handcrafted with found/salvaged items and created as individual wearable artwork.

My mandate as a guest/presenter is to entertain and engage every audience with memorable and informative panels that encourage attendees to keep moving forward with their costuming/artistic goals. A list of my convention appearances, exhibitions, and related work appears below.

You can find Paige and her costume work at CostumeArt on Facebook and bhampaige on Instagram and her blog at www.CostumeArtist.com

SAMPLE PANELS for Paige Gardner

The Cool Kids crowd at “The Desperate Steampunk” at DragonCon

The Desperate Steampunk: How to build a boss costume with the minimum of skill and resources.

Behind the Mask: Intermediate how-to on building masks for costume or art projects.

Self-styling forCosplay Photography: How to plan and prepare for your best cosplay photos ever

Can’t Sew? Not a Problem!: Shortcuts and alternate construction methods for non-seamsters

Thrift Store Madness: How to use thrift and second-hand resources to craft top speed costuming and art projects

I love to share my enthusiasm with folks who are interested in alternative costuming, resourceful prop building, and recycling as an art medium. Please reach out to me BELOW if you think I can contribute to your convention or special event. I’m portable – smile!

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I’d welcome the opportunity to panel at WW in NOLA – but the process of attending is very different from most events I’m able to present at. I did a popular panel at WW in St. Louis a couple of years ago – and it was huge fun. I was contacted by a local coordinator for WW panels, then. But I haven’t been queried by Wizard World – New Orleans. (I’d love to attend – just to see all the awesome costumes!